Method and system for a power strip with automatic equipment disconnect

ABSTRACT

A power strip may automatically disconnect a wired connection in response to received weather alert data based on a configuration file including one or more user preference settings. The power strip may include a receiver for a National Weather Service Specific Area Message Encoding system message including an alert type. The power strip may process the message and disconnect a wired connection based on the preference settings. A timer function may also define a time period that the power strip monitors its receiver for weather alert data and automatically disconnects and reconnects the wired connections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/948,905, filed on Jul. 23, 2013, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/930,430,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,000,921, filed on Jun. 28, 2013, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/659,014,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,487,765 and entitled “Method and System for a PowerStrip with Automatic Equipment Disconnect”, filed on Oct. 24, 2012. Thepresent application claims priority from all above-referencedapplications and the disclosures of all above-referenced applicationsare hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an electrical power stripthat automatically disconnects electronic equipment by using alertsissued by weather alert systems.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Each year, lightning-induced transient voltage and current causemillions of dollars in damage to electronic equipment. While surgeprotectors offer significant protection against this type of damage,they are not effective in all cases such as a direct lightning strike tothe power line. The most effective protection is to physically unplugthe equipment from the power socket as well as disconnect phone, coaxialcable or other connections.

However, thunderstorms and related weather events often occur when thehomeowner is away or asleep making physical unplugging of equipmentimpossible. A weather alert system generally refers to a meteorologicalagency that issues weather alerts to warn citizens of approachingdangerous weather. For example, the National Weather Service (NWS) usesan automated radio system called Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME)to broadcast alerts for severe weather conditions such as thunderstormsor tornados that are affecting a local area. Each local area SAME systemhas a particular broadcast frequency. Weather radios tuned to a localSAME frequency may be equipped to receive and process signals from suchsystems.

SUMMARY

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a power strip forautomatically disconnecting and reconnecting a wired connection includesa control module having a normal mode and a timer routine. The timerroutine, when running, automatically triggers equipment to bedisconnected when at least one of a watch alert and warning alert isreceived by the receiver, determines if the timer routine has finishedtiming, and/or determines whether to operate in the normal mode or inthe timer mode.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a method fordisconnecting an electronic device having a wired connection to a powerstrip in response to weather alert data includes running a timer routinestored in the memory with a processor of a control module. The timerroutine includes the steps of monitoring the receiver for weather alertdata received at the receiver, determining whether the alert dataincludes at least one of a watch alert and a warning alert,automatically triggering the electronic device to be disconnected whenat least one of a watch alert and warning alert is received, determiningif the timer routine has finished timing, and/or determining whether tooperate in a normal mode or continue operating in the timer mode.

Any of these aspects may include any one or more additional featuresand/or arrangements described herein. In some arrangements, for example,the power strip may automatically disconnect and reconnect a wiredconnection to an electronic device. The power strip may include one ormore outlets each providing a wired connection to an electronic device.The wired connections may provide one or more of an electrical power, atelephone, or a coaxial cable connection to the electronic device. Thepower strip may include a configuration file including one or more userpreference settings, and a control module including a processor and amemory, wherein the memory stores a configuration file and one or morefunctions that are executable by the processor. The control modulefunctions may include a receiver function to receive a radio signal froma National Weather Service Specific Area Message Encoding system. Theradio signal may include weather alert data that includes one or more ofan event type, an alert type, a location, or an event duration. Thealert type may include an advisory, a watch, or a warning. The memorymay store a relay switch function, and the preference settings mayinclude one or more user preference settings that define conditions forthe control module to cause the relay switch function to disconnect thewired connection to the power strip based on the received alert type andthe user preference settings. Additional features and/or arrangementsmay be provided in accordance with the drawings and/or the followingdetailed description.

The features and advantages described in this summary and the followingdetailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features andadvantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in viewof the drawings, specification, and claims hereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a system including a power stripthat automatically disconnects plugged-in equipment by using weatheralerts received from a weather alert system;

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of a data structure for receivedweather alert data;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a wiring diagram for the powerstrip;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of various functions that may be usedby the control module on the power strip;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a flowchart for a method thatautomatically disconnect plugged-in equipment on the power strip; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a computer to implement thevarious functions that automatically disconnects plugged-in equipment onthe power strip in accordance with the described embodiments.

The figures depict a preferred embodiment of the present invention forpurposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A power strip may have outlets to provide connection for power, phone,coaxial cable, and other wired connections. In one embodiment, the powerstrip may also include a radio antenna and receiver housed in a controlmodule that continuously monitors for alerts that are locally broadcastby a weather alert system (e.g., NWS's SAME system) in the same area asthe power strip. In other embodiments, a power strip may include pre-setor user-configured location data or a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver to indicate a location of the power strip. Thus, a power striptuned to a local NWS frequency may receive alert data that is relevantfor the location of that power strip. Similarly, a power strip having alocation indication (e.g., pre-set, user-configured, or GPS locationdata) may determine whether received weather alert data includeslocation data indicating that the alert is relevant to the currentlocation of the power strip. Once an alert for the location of the powerstrip is received, the type and content may be identified. If the alertis an advisory or watch, then the power strip may communicate the alertto the user. If the alert is a warning, then the power strip maycommunicate the alert to the user and may also automatically disconnectequipment plugged into the power strip. This disconnect has the sameeffect as physically unplugging the equipment from the power socket anddisconnecting the phone, coaxial cable and other lines.

In some embodiments, the user may be notified of an alert throughpreference settings selected by the user. For example, the user maychoose to be notified via visual indicators mounted on the power stripsuch as LED lights, or the user may choose to be notified via peripheralequipment such as a PC, or the user may choose to be notified via remoteequipment such as a mobile device. A request for user response may alsobe selected by the user to be included in certain notifications sent.For example, an email message may be sent via a computer network to thePC, or a text message may be sent via a cellular telephone network tothe mobile device indicating that a thunderstorm warning alert wasreceived. Upon viewing the email or text message, the user may respondwith an instruction to override the subsequent automatic equipmentdisconnect by sending a further email or text message to the power stripvia a network. However, if no user response is detected within aspecified time period, or if the user has configured the power strip toshut off connections, then the power strip may proceed to automaticallydisconnect equipment from the power, phone, coaxial cable and otherlines.

In some embodiments, the user may also set up a timer to run the powerstrip. The timer may be used when the user is away from home andunavailable such as being on vacation, or when the user is unavailableat home, such as being asleep. When running the timer, either a watch orwarning alert will trigger an automatic equipment disconnect. The powerstrip may communicate the received alert to the user via preferencesettings selected by the user. Depending on the selected preferencesettings, a request for user response may or may not be included in anynotification sent. As well, a user response may or may not be processed.The run time for the timer may also be defined by the user in thepreference settings.

In some embodiments, preference settings may be pre-set at a factorysuch that user selection is not required or allowed. For example, thepower strip may be pre-set to notify the user of an alert via a meansdetermined at the factory, or the power strip may be pre-set toautomatically request a user response for the alert, or the power stripmay be pre-set to run a timer for a pre-determined run time.

Once the power strip ascertains the threatening weather event haspassed, as determined from an event duration time in the alert, or uponreceiving another alert indicating that the threatening weather eventhas passed, the power strip may automatically reconnect electronicequipment to the power, phone, coaxial cable or other lines. Thus,damage to sensitive equipment may be avoided by electricallydisconnecting and isolating it from electrical power, telephonecommunications, coaxial cable, and other wired connections before anythreatening weather event such as a lightning strike hits the area.

One or more of the outlets on the power strip may also have a built-inbattery back-up source, which would deliver uninterrupted power toequipment with program timers (e.g., a DVR) to prevent programminginformation from being lost during periods of disconnect.

With reference to FIG. 1A, a system 100 for automatically disconnectingplugged-in equipment may include a power strip 101 having multipleoutlets 102 to provide connection for power, phone, coaxial cable, andother wired connections. In one embodiment, the multiple outlets 102 mayprovide power connection to allow a user to plug in various electronicequipment such as a PC 120, a TV 130, a printer 140, a fax machine 150and a DVR 160. One or more of the outlets 102 providing power connectionmay have a built-in battery back-up source 103, which would deliveruninterrupted power to equipment with program timers such as the DVR 160to prevent programming information from being lost during periods ofdisconnect. Extending from the power strip 101 is a cord and plug 105for delivering AC power or other power, data, etc., to the power strip101.

The power strip 101 may include a control module 104 having a receiver106 and an antenna 107 for receiving signals (e.g., radio, Wi-Fi,cellular, computer network, etc.) containing weather alert data 110 fromweather alert systems 109 (e.g., the NWS's SAME system) via acommunication link 108. The receiver may include In addition toreceiving weather alert data 110, the receiver 106 may also receiveglobal positioning system (GPS) data indicating a geographic location ofthe power strip 101. The control module 104 may communicate the receivedalert data to peripheral equipment via the communication link 108. Inone embodiment, the control module 104 may communicate alert data to theTV 130 via an HDMI connection. In another embodiment, the control module104 may communicate with the PC 120 via a suitable network connection(e.g., local area network, a wide area network, a wired or wirelessnetwork, a private network, etc.). The control module 104 may alsocommunicate the alert data with other remote equipment via thecommunication link 108 or another link. In one embodiment, the controlmodule 104 may communicate with a remote PC 170 or a mobile device 180via a suitable network connection (e.g., local area network, a wide areanetwork, a wired or wireless network, a mobile network, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 1B, the received weather alert data 110 mayinclude information concerning a threatening weather event 111 (e.g., athunderstorm, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, tidal wave, flood, etc.),a type of alert 113 (e.g., an advisory, watch or warning), a location115, an event duration time 117, and other information 119. The location115 may include one or more global positioning system coordinatesindicating an area for the weather alert.

With reference to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a wiring diagram for thepower strip 101 to provide power connection may include a live wire 204,a neutral wire 206 and a ground wire 208 arranged to form electricalconnectors 202 which would provide power connection for the outlets 102in FIG. 1A. The control module 104 may automatically disconnect theelectrical connectors 202 from the power line. In one embodiment, thecontrol module 104 may route the live wire 204 and the neutral wire 206to the ground wire 208 through switches 203 activated by a solenoid 205or other activation methods in the isolation relay 201. At the sametime, one or more of the electrical connectors 202 may be connected tothe built-in battery back-up source 103 through switches 203 in the sameisolation relay 201 to prevent power loss to equipment with programtimers. After the weather event duration time from the alert data haspassed, upon receiving another alert indicating that the event haspassed or another indication, the control module 104 may automaticallyreconnect the electrical connectors 202 to the power line and maydisconnect one or more of the electrical connectors 202 from thebuilt-in battery back-up source 103. In some embodiments, the controlmodule 104 may disconnect the electrical connectors 202 through switches203 in the isolation relay 201.

In general, the control module 104 may include a computer processor 210and a computer-readable memory 212 that stores computer instructionswhich may be executable on the processor 210. The memory 212 may includeinstructions 214 to execute control module functions as described inrelation to FIG. 3. The memory 212 may also include instructions 216 toexecute methods as described in relation to FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 3, the control module 104 may include variouscomponents and functions. According to one embodiment, the controlmodule 104 may include an antenna function 302 which controls thereceiver 106 and antenna 107 to capture signals including weather alertdata 110 (e.g., alert from the NWS's SAME system), a receiver function304 which controls the receiver 106 to receive and decode the signals,and a controller function 306 to process the signals. The controllerfunction 306 may control other functions such as a visual alert function320, a visual message function 322, an audio function 324, acommunications function 326, a relay switch function 328 and a timerfunction 330. The controller function 306 may execute functions througha user-defined configuration file 308 which includes preference settings310 selected by the user. In some embodiments, the controller function306 may execute functions through preference settings pre-set at afactory that do not require or allow user selection.

In embodiments that require or allow user selections, preferencesettings 310 selected by the user may indicate conditions for thecontrol module 104 to automatically disconnect and reconnect a wiredconnection to the power strip and perform other actions in response toreceived weather alert data 110. For example, where the preferencesettings 310 indicate a local NWS frequency and the alert data 110 isreceived from that frequency, then the controller function 306 mayexecute one or more other functions based on other preference settings310. Further, where the preference settings 310 indicate a location forthe power strip (e.g., a location set by default, by user input, or byreceived GPS signals) and the received weather alert location data 115indicates that the data is relevant for the location of the power strip,then the controller function 306 may execute one or more other functionsbased on other preference settings 310. In some embodiments, thecontroller function 306 may execute the visual alert function 320 toflash LED lights or activate another visual indicator of an alert. Inone embodiment, the visual alert function 320 may activate differentlycolored LED lights 218 (FIG. 2) which may be mounted on the controlmodule 104. For example, a green LED light may flash when an advisoryalert is received, or a yellow LED light may flash when a watch alert isreceived, or a red LED light may flash when a warning alert is received.The controller function 306 may also execute the visual message function322 to display a visual message. In one embodiment, an LCD panel 220(FIG. 2) may be mounted on the control module 104 which displays amessage indicating the reception of an alert. As well, the controllerfunction 306 may execute the audio function 324 to send out an audiomessage. In one embodiment, speakers 222 (FIG. 2) may be mounted on thecontrol module 104 which broadcasts an audio message indicating that analert was received. For example, the audio message may announce that awarning alert for a thunderstorm in the area was received.

Further, the controller function 306 may execute the communicationsfunction 326 to communicate the received alert to the user viaperipheral and remote equipment. In one embodiment, the controllerfunction 306 may send a video message to the TV 130 indicating thereception of an alert. For example, the video message may show a videoof a thunderstorm and announce that a warning alert for a thunderstormwas received. In another embodiment, the controller function 306 maysend an email message to the PC 120 or the remote PC 170 indicating thatan alert was received. The email message may request a response from theuser, which the user may respond to by causing the receiving device tosend a further email message containing an instruction to the controllerfunction 306. The request for user response may be a preference setting310 that may be defined by the user in the configuration file 308. Instill another embodiment, the controller function 306 may send a textmessage to the mobile device 180 indicating that an alert was receivedand may request a user response. Upon receiving the text message, theuser may cause the receiving device to respond by sending an instructionto the controller function 306 in a further text message.

In some embodiments, to automatically disconnect the equipment from thepower line, the controller function 306 may execute the relay switchfunction 328 to disconnect the electrical connectors 202, which at thesame time may connect one or more of the electrical connectors 202 tothe built-in battery back-up source 103. To automatically reconnect theequipment to the power line, the controller function 306 may againexecute the relay switch function 328 to reconnect the electricalconnectors 202 and disconnect one or more the electrical connectors 202from the built-in battery back-up source 103.

The controller function 306 may execute the timer function 330 to run atimer, which indicates the user is either away from home and unavailable(e.g., on vacation) or unavailable at home (e.g., asleep). The user maydefine the run time for the timer through a preference setting 310 ofthe configuration file 308.

With reference to FIG. 4, the system 100 described herein may beemployed in a method 400 to receive alert data (e.g., alert from theNWS's SAME system) and execute actions based on those alerts. The method400 may include one or more routines in the form of non-transitorycomputer-executable instructions (e.g. the computer instructions 216)that are stored in a tangible computer-readable storage medium (e.g.,the control module memory 212) and executed using a processor (e.g., thecontrol module processor 210).

The automatic equipment disconnect method 400 may receive preferencesettings selected by the user which are stored as preference settings310 in the configuration file 308 (block 401). In some embodiments, theuser may enter the preference settings 310 through a keypad 224 (FIG. 2)mounted on the control module 104. In other embodiments, the user mayconfigure the preference settings 310 by remotely accessing theconfiguration file 308 through a computing device (e.g., a PC) or a massstorage device (e.g., a USB device) via a network. The preferencesettings 310 may indicate a NWS frequency corresponding to the locationof the power strip for the antenna function 302. Additionally, thesettings 310 may indicate actions that may be performed upon receivingalert data (e.g., alert from the NWS's SAME system). The preferencesettings 310 may also indicate whether a timer mode has been selected bythe user.

Next, the method 400 may determine whether the timer mode has beenselected (block 402). If the timer mode has been selected, then themethod 400 may begin a timer mode operation (block 403). If the timermode has not been selected, then the method 400 may begin a normal modeoperation (block 404).

In the normal mode operation (block 404), the method 400 maycontinuously monitor for alert data 110 (e.g., alert from the NWS's SAMEsystem) by continuously accessing the receiver 304 and antenna function302 to allow the antenna 107 to continuously capture radio signals.

The method 400 may then determine whether the receiver 106 and antenna107 have captured alert data or any signals of interest (block 405). Themethod 400 may access the receiver function 304 to allow the receiver106 to receive and decode any captured data. In some embodiments, thecaptured data or signal is alert data 110 such as a signal from theNWS's SAME system and the antenna function 302 processes signalsreceived on a frequency indicated by the preference settings 310. Forexample, the frequency may correspond to a frequency for a NWS system109 nearest the geographic location of the power strip. In otherembodiments, the captured data or signal is alert data 110 that includeslocation data 115, which is retrieved by parsing the received alert data110. The method 400 may also determine a power strip location from thepreference settings 310. In some embodiments, the power strip locationis determined from received GPS location data, or from anotherindication of the power strip location (e.g., user-entered location suchas a zip code, street address, city, etc., or a default location). Oncethe method 400 determines both the alert location 115 and the powerstrip location, the method 400 may then compare these two locations todetermine whether the received alert data 110 is relevant for thelocation of the power strip. If the alert data 110 is relevant, then themethod 400 may proceed to determine the content of the alert data 110(block 406). Otherwise, the method 400 may return to continue monitoringfor weather alert data 110 (block 404).

The method 400 may access the controller function 306 to determine thecontent of the received signal or alert data 110 (block 406). Forexample, the alert data 110 may include the weather event 111, the typeof alert 113 (e.g., advisory, watch or warning), the location 115, theevent duration time 117 and other information 119. Once the method 400identifies the alert content, the method 400 may proceed to check userconfiguration (block 407).

The method 400 may access the configuration file 308 to check theuser-defined preference settings 310 in order to execute an action basedon the received alert data 110 (block 407). If the received alert dataindicates an advisory or watch alert, then the method 400 may cause thecommunications function 326 to send a notification to the user via oneor more preference settings 310. If the received alert data indicates awarning alert, then the method 400 may cause the communications function326 to send a notification to the user via one or more preferencesettings 310 and then automatically disconnect equipment from one ormore wired connections (e.g., power, phone, coaxial cable and otherlines).

In some embodiments, the preference settings 310 may indicate activationof visual indicators mounted on the control module 104 in response tothe received alert data 110. In some embodiments, the method 400 mayaccess the controller function 306 to execute the visual alert function320 and flash the LED lights 218. In other embodiments, the method 400may cause the visual message function 322 to show a text or othermessage defined in the preference settings 310. The message may bedisplayed on the panel 220. In still other embodiments, the audiofunction 324 may broadcast an audio message defined in the preferencesettings 110 through the speakers 222. After communicating the alertdata to the user, the method 400 may access the controller function 306to automatically disconnect equipment from a wired connection. Forexample, the method 400 may execute the relay switch function 328 toautomatically disconnect equipment from the power line.

In other embodiments, the preference settings 310 may indicatenotification through peripheral equipment (e.g. PC 120, TV 130, etc.) inresponse to the alert data 110. For example, a user may be present athome and the preference settings 310 may be configured to cause themethod 400 to access the controller function 306 and execute thecommunications function 326 to send out a message via the communicationlink 108 to one or more peripheral devices. In one embodiment, thepreference settings 310 may define a video message to be sent to the TV130 before disconnecting a wired connection (e.g., executing the relayswitch function 328 to automatically disconnect equipment from the powerline). In another example, the preference settings 310 may define anemail or other message to be sent to the PC 120. A request for userresponse, which may be a preference setting 310, may also be included inthe message sent by the communications function 326. The responserequest may indicate an option to disconnect or reconnect the wiredconnection. For example, in response to the received email or othermessage, the power strip may receive an instruction to override thesubsequent automatic equipment disconnection or reconnection in afurther email or other message to the controller function 306. However,if the method 400 does not detect a user response with a specified timeperiod, the method 400 may proceed to automatically disconnect equipmentfrom the wired connection.

In still other embodiments, the preference settings 310 may indicatenotification through remote equipment (e.g., remote PC 170, mobiledevice 180, etc.) in response to the received alert data 110. Forexample, user may be away from home and the preference settings 310 maybe configured to cause the method 400 to access the controller function306 and execute the communications function 326 to send an email orother message to the remote PC 170, or a text or other message to themobile device 180. A request for user response, which may be apreference setting 310, may be included in the email, text or othermessage. The response request may indicate an option to disconnect orreconnect the wired connection. In response to the email, text or othermessage, the method 400 may receive an instruction to override thesubsequent automatic equipment disconnection or reconnection in afurther email, text or other message to the controller function 306.However, the method 400 does not detect a user response within aspecified time period, the method 400 may proceed to automaticallydisconnect equipment from the wired connection.

Once the method 400 identifies one or more preference settings 310, themethod 400 may proceed to carry out the corresponding action (block408). In some embodiments, after the event duration time 117 of theweather event has passed, or upon receiving another alert indicatingthat the event has passed, the method 400 may reconnect the wiredconnection. In some embodiments, the controller function 306 may executethe relay switch function 328 to automatically reconnect equipment backto the power line. After reconnecting the wired connection, the method400 may continue to determine whether to operate in the normal mode orin the timer mode (block 402).

If the preference settings 310 indicate that the timer mode has beenselected, then the method 400 may begin the timer mode operation inwhich case a timer function may start as specified in the preferencesettings 310 (block 403). The method 400 may continuously monitor forsignals indicating weather alert data 110 (block 421). In someembodiments, the weather alert data 110 includes signals from the NWS'sSAME system. The method 400 may determine whether a signal includingalert data 110 is received (block 422). If not, the method 400 mayreturn to continue monitoring for weather alert data 110 (block 421).Once a signal is received, method 400 determines the content of thealert in the received signal (block 423), and then proceeds to check theuser-defined preference settings 310 in order to execute an action basedon the received alert data 110 (block 424). The timer mode may be usedwhen a user is either away from home and available (e.g., on vacationwith cellular or other communications access) or unavailable at home(e.g., asleep). If the received alert data indicates an advisory alert,then a user preference setting 310 may indicate notifying the user ofthe alert. If the alert data indicates a watch or warning alert, then auser preference setting 310 may indicate notifying the user of the alertand then automatically disconnect equipment from the power, phone,coaxial cable and other lines. Depending on preference settings 310,request for user response may or may not be included in any notificationsent by the method 400. As described above in relation to the preferencesettings 310, the method 400 may or may not process a user response tothe controller function 306 while in timer mode. The method 400 maycarry out an action corresponding to one or more preference settings 310(block 425). Subsequently, the method 400 may determine if the timerfunction has finished timing (block 426). If not, the method 400 returnsto operate in the timer mode (block 403). If the timer function hasfinished timing, then the method 400 may continue to determine whetherto operate in the normal mode or in the timer mode (block 402).

In some embodiments, the preference settings may be pre-set at a factorysuch that user selection is not required or allowed. In this case, themethod 400 may execute various functions according to the settingspre-determined at the factory.

FIG. 5 is a high-level block diagram of an example computing environmentfor a system to automatically disconnect equipment from wiredconnections using received weather alert data 110. In some embodiments,the received alert data 110 may be from the NWS's SAME system. Thecomputing device 501 may include a control module 104, a PC 120, amobile device 180 (e.g., a cellular phone, a tablet computer, aWi-Fi-enabled device or other personal computing device capable ofwireless or wired communication), or other known type of computingdevice. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, inlight of the disclosure and teachings herein, other types of computingdevices can be used that have different architectures. Processor systemssimilar or identical to the example system 500 may be used to implementand execute the example system of FIG. 1A, the various control modulefunctions of FIG. 3, the method 400 of FIG. 4, and the like. Althoughthe example system 500 is described below as including a plurality ofperipherals, interfaces, chips, memories, etc., one or more of thoseelements may be omitted from other example processor systems used toimplement and execute the example system 100. Also, other components maybe added.

As shown in FIG. 5, the computing device 501 includes a processor 502that is coupled to an interconnection bus 504. The processor 502includes a register set or register space 506, which is depicted in FIG.5 as being entirely on-chip, but which could alternatively be locatedentirely or partially off-chip and directly coupled to the processor 502via dedicated electrical connections and/or via the interconnection bus504. The processor 502 may be any suitable processor, processing unit ormicroprocessor. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the computing device 501may be a multi-processor device and, thus, may include one or moreadditional processors that are identical or similar to the processor 502and that are communicatively coupled to the interconnection bus 504.

The processor 502 of FIG. 5 is coupled to a chipset 508, which includesa memory controller 510 and a peripheral input/output (I/O) controller512. As is well known, a chipset typically provides I/O and memorymanagement functions as well as a plurality of general purpose and/orspecial purpose registers, timers, etc. that are accessible or used byone or more processors coupled to the chipset 508. The memory controller510 performs functions that enable the processor 502 (or processors ifthere are multiple processors) to access a system memory 514 and a massstorage memory 516.

The system memory 514 may include any desired type of volatile and/ornon-volatile memory such as, for example, static random access memory(SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, read-onlymemory (ROM), etc. The mass storage memory 516 may include any desiredtype of mass storage device. For example, if the computing device 501 isused to implement an application 518 having an API 519 (includingfunctions and instructions as described by the method 400 of FIG. 4),the mass storage memory 516 may include a hard disk drive, an opticaldrive, a tape storage device, a solid-state memory (e.g., a flashmemory, a RAM memory, etc.), a magnetic memory (e.g., a hard drive), orany other memory suitable for mass storage. In one embodiment,non-transitory program functions, modules and routines (e.g., anapplication 518) are stored in mass storage memory 516, loaded intosystem memory 514, and executed by a processor 502 or can be providedfrom computer program products that are stored in tangiblecomputer-readable storage mediums (e.g. RAM, hard disk, optical/magneticmedia, etc.). Mass storage 516 may also include a cache memory 521storing application data, user profile data, and timestamp datacorresponding to the application data, and other data for use by theapplication 518.

The peripheral I/O controller 510 performs functions that enable theprocessor 502 to communicate with peripheral input/output (I/O) devices522 and 524, a network interface 526, via a peripheral I/O bus 528. TheI/O devices 522 and 524 may be any desired type of I/O device such as,for example, a keyboard, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, etc.), a navigation device(e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a capacitive touch pad, a joystick, etc.),etc. The peripheral I/O bus 528 may include support for Wi-Fi network,Bluetooth, Infrared, cellular, or other wireless data transmissionprotocols. In other embodiments, one element may simultaneously supporteach of the various wireless protocols employed by the computing device501. For example, a software-defined radio may be able to supportmultiple protocols via downloadable instructions. In operation, thecomputing device 501 may be able to periodically poll for visiblewireless network transmitters (both cellular and local network) on aperiodic basis. Such polling may be possible even while normal wirelesstraffic is being supported on the computing device 501. The networkinterface 526 may be, for example, an Ethernet device, an asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM) device, an 802.11 wireless interface device, a DSLmodem, a cable modem, a cellular modem, etc., that enables the system100 to communicate with another computer system having at least theelements described in relation to the system 100.

While the memory controller 512 and the I/O controller 510 are depictedin FIG. 5 as separate functional blocks within the chipset 508, thefunctions performed by these blocks may be integrated within a singleintegrated circuit or may be implemented using two or more separateintegrated circuits.

Using the system 100 and method 400 described herein, a power strip forautomatically disconnecting equipment by using received weather alertdata from weather alert systems may be implemented to electricallyisolate the equipment from wired connections (e.g., power, phone,coaxial cable or other lines) before a threatening weather condition,such as a thunderstorm, hits the area.

The power strip may continuously monitor for threatening weather alertdata (e.g., alert from the NWS's SAME system) and upon receiving analert data, the power strip may notify the user of the alert and thenproceed to automatically disconnect equipment from wired connections.The user may also set up a timer to run the power strip. Once thethreatening weather has passed as determined from information containedin the alert data, the power strip may automatically reconnect equipmentto the wired connections. The power strip may significantly reducelightning-induced damage to sensitive electronic equipment byautomatically disconnecting the equipment without any required physicalinteraction.

The following additional considerations apply to the foregoingdiscussion. Throughout this specification, plural instances mayimplement functions, routines, or operations described as a singleinstance. Although individual functions and instructions of one or moremethods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one ormore of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, andnothing requires that the operations be performed in the orderillustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separatecomponents in example configurations may be implemented as a combinedstructure or component. Similarly, structures and functionalitypresented as a single component may be implemented as separatecomponents. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

Additionally, certain embodiments are described herein as includinglogic or a number of functions, components, modules, blocks, ormechanisms. Functions may constitute either software modules (e.g.,non-transitory code stored on a tangible machine-readable storagemedium) or hardware modules. A hardware module is a tangible unitcapable of performing certain operations and may be configured orarranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or morecomputer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system)or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processoror a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., anapplication or application portion) as a hardware module that operatesto perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain functions. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term hardware should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certainoperations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardwaremodules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware modules need not be configured or instantiated at any oneinstance in time. For example, where the hardware modules comprise ageneral-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purposeprocessor may be configured as respective different hardware modules atdifferent times. Software may accordingly configure a processor, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance oftime and to constitute a different hardware module at a differentinstance of time.

Hardware and software modules can provide information to, and receiveinformation from, other hardware and/or software modules. Accordingly,the described hardware modules may be regarded as being communicativelycoupled. Where multiple of such hardware or software modules existcontemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signaltransmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) that connectthe hardware or software modules. In embodiments in which multiplehardware modules or software are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware or software modules may beachieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of informationin memory structures to which the multiple hardware or software moduleshave access. For example, one hardware or software module may perform anoperation and store the output of that operation in a memory device towhich it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware or softwaremodule may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieveand process the stored output. Hardware and software modules may alsoinitiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate ona resource (e.g., a collection of information).

The various operations of example functions and methods described hereinmay be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods or functions described herein may be at leastpartially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of thefunctions of a method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented hardware modules. The performance of certain ofthe functions may be distributed among the one or more processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments theprocessors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance ofthe relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of thefunctions may be performed by a group of computers (as examples ofmachines including processors), these operations being accessible via anetwork (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces(e.g., application program interfaces (APIs)).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithmsor symbolic representations of operations on data and data structuresstored as bits or binary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g.,a computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic representations areexamples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the dataprocessing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilledin the art. As used herein, a “function” or a “routine” is aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, functions, algorithms, routines andoperations involve physical manipulation of physical quantities.Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take the form ofelectrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored,accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated by amachine. It is convenient at times, principally for reasons of commonusage, to refer to such signals using words such as “data,” “content,”“bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,” “characters,” “terms,”“numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words, however, are merelyconvenient labels and are to be associated with appropriate physicalquantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or othermachine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation.

As used herein any reference to “some embodiments” or “one embodiment”or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure,or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment isincluded in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “inone embodiment” in various places in the specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interactwith each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a function,process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsis not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Still further, the figures depict preferred embodiments of a computersystem 100 for purposes of illustration only. One of ordinary skill inthe art will readily recognize from the following discussion thatalternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated hereinmay be employed without departing from the principles described herein.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for asystem and a method for automatically disconnecting equipment by usingreceived weather alert data from weather alert systems through thedisclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments andapplications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understoodthat the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the preciseconstruction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications,changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in theart, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methodand apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope defined in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A power strip for automatically disconnecting andreconnecting a wired connection, the power strip comprising: one or moreoutlets, each outlet providing a wired connection to be connected to arespective one of one or more electronic devices; a receiver configuredto receive weather alert data; and a control module coupled to the oneor more outlets and the receiver, the control module comprising aprocessor and a memory storing one or more routines executable by theprocessor to cause the control module to continuously monitor forweather alert data received by the receiver; wherein the receivedweather alert data includes a radio signal received from a NationalWeather Service Specific Area Message Encoding system including: analert type including one or more of an advisory, a watch, or a warning;and a location including one or more global positioning systemcoordinates indicating an alert area; wherein the control modulecomprises a normal operating mode and a timer operating mode; whereinthe control module is configured to operate in the timer mode inresponse to configuration of a timer routine by a user, the timerroutine configuration comprising a user-defined run-time period ofexecution of the timer routine in the timer mode; wherein when operatingin the timer mode, the control module is configured to: a) automaticallytrigger at least one of the one or more electronic devices to bedisconnected from at least one wired connection when at least one of awatch alert and warning alert is received by the receiver while thecontrol module is operating in the timer mode, b) after triggering theat least one of the one or more electronic devices to be disconnected,determine that the timer routine has finished timing based upon theuser-defined runtime period, and c) after determining that the timerroutine has finished timing, determine to operate in the normal mode;and wherein when operating in the normal mode, the control module isconfigured to execute a communications routine when at least one of awatch alert and warning alert is received by the receiver, thecommunications routine stored at the memory, the communications routineconfigured to send a message over a communications medium to a remotedevice via a communications link based on the received weather alert,the message including a response request indicating an option todisconnect or reconnect at least one of the one or more electronicdevices from at least one wired connection, the communication routinefurther configured to receive a response to the message in thecommunications medium.
 2. The power strip of claim 1, the control modulecomprising a configuration file including one or more user preferencesettings, wherein the control module is configured to disconnect the atleast one of the one or more electronic devices from the at least onewired connection based on the received weather alert data and the userpreference settings.
 3. The power strip of claim 2, wherein the userpreference settings define a run time period for the timer routine todisconnect the at least one of the one or more electronic devices fromthe at least one wired connection, and wherein expiration of the runtime period causes the control module to reconnect the at least one ofthe one or more electronic devices to the at least one wired connection.4. The power strip of claim 2, further comprising a relay switch coupledto the control module, and the user preference settings defineconditions for the control module to cause the relay switch todisconnect or reconnect the at least one of the one or more electronicdevices from the at least one wired connection to the power strip. 5.The power strip of claim 2, wherein the one or more routines stored inthe memory further includes: (a) a visual message routine, wherein theuser preference settings define a visual message for the visual messageroutine to display on a panel of the power strip, the visual messagebased at least in part on the user preference settings; and (b) an audioroutine, wherein and the user preference settings define a sound for theaudio routine to broadcast via speakers of the power strip.
 6. The powerstrip of claim 1, wherein the wired connection provides one or more ofan electrical power, a telephone connection, or a coaxial cableconnection to the one or more electronic devices.
 7. The power strip ofclaim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the weather alertdata via one or more of a radio antenna, a cellular network antenna, ora computer network interface.
 8. The power strip of claim 1, wherein theweather alert data includes one or more of a radio signal received froma National Weather Service Specific Area Message Encoding system, anevent type including one or more of a thunderstorm, a tornado, ahurricane, an earthquake, a flood, or a tidal wave, an alert typeincluding one or more of an advisory, a watch, or a warning, a locationincluding one or more global positioning system coordinates indicatingan alert area, or an event duration.
 9. The power strip of claim 1,wherein the one or more routines stored in the memory include a visualalert routine, and the preference settings define an alert type for thevisual alert routine to activate one or more visual indicators on thepower strip.
 10. A method for disconnecting an electronic device havinga wired connection to a power strip in response to weather alert data,the power strip including an outlet providing the wired connection tothe electronic device, a receiver configured to receive weather alertdata, and a control module coupled to the outlet and to the receiver,the control module including a processor and a memory storing one ormore routines executable by the processor, the method comprising:operating the control module in a timer mode in response toconfiguration of a timer routine by a user, the timer routineconfiguration comprising a user-defined run-time period for execution ofthe timer routine in the timer mode, wherein operating the controlmodule in the timer mode includes: monitoring the receiver with thecontrol module for weather alert data received at the receiver; uponreceiving alert data, determining with the control module whether thealert data includes at least one of a watch alert and a warning alert;automatically triggering, with the control module, the electronic deviceto be disconnected from the wired connection in response to determiningthat at least one of a watch alert and warning alert is received by thereceiver while the control module is operating in the timer mode, aftertriggering the equipment to be disconnected, determining with thecontrol module if the timer routine has finished timing based on theuser-defined run-time period, and in response to determining that thetimer function has finished timing, determining to operate in a normalmode; in response to determining to operate the control module in thenormal mode, operating the control module in the normal mode, whereinoperating the control module in the normal mode includes: continuing tomonitor the receiver with the control module for weather alert datareceived at the receiver; upon receiving alert data, determining withthe control module that the alert data includes at least one of a watchalert and a warning alert; and in response to determining that the alertdata comprises at least one of a watch alert and a warning alert whilethe control module is operating in the normal mode, sending a messageover a communications medium to a remote device via a communicationslink based on the received weather alert, the message including aresponse request indicating an option to disconnect or reconnect theelectronic device from the wired connection.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising the step of sending a notification of the alert to auser when the received weather alert data indicates an advisory alertwhile the control module is operating in the timer mode.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the notification includes a request for userresponse.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step ofcarrying out with the control module an action corresponding to one ormore preference settings depending on weather alert data received by thereceiver.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the weather alert datareceived at the receiver includes an event type, an alert type, alocation, and an event duration.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein thelocation includes one or more global positioning system coordinatesindicating an alert area.
 16. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: receiving, at the control module, a configuration fileincluding the user preference settings.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the wired connection provides one or more of an electricalpower, a telephone connection, or a coaxial cable connection to theelectronic device.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the weather alertdata includes a radio signal received from a National Weather ServiceSpecific Area Message Encoding system via one or more of a radio signalantenna, a cellular network antenna, or a computer network interface ofthe power strip, the weather alert data including one or more of anevent type, a location, or an event duration, the event type includesone or more of a thunderstorm, a tornado, a hurricane, an earthquake, aflood, or a tidal wave, the alert type includes an advisory, a watch, ora warning.